The Monumental Architecture in Ancient Greek

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The Monumental Architecture in Ancient Greek

Table of Contents

Methods
Styles
Materials
The Differences
Conclusion

One of the most significant cultures of the ancient world was the ancient Greek and the ancient Roman. Their territories were close to each other; they existed almost in the same period, which is why it is not unusual for them to be directly related to each other. These civilizations had well-developed cultures formed by interacting with one another. Thus, it is necessary to apply one of the essential methods of historical research is the comparison to study the architecture of Greek and Roman culture. Hence, it is imperative to establish a comparison of the common and distinctive features of Greek and Roman architecture in the classical period.

Methods

The monumental and public character of classical Greek architecture is closely related to the life of the collective of free citizens. In addition, the state cults of gods that personified the unity of the polis found their intense and vivid expression already in the early Classical period. The modular system of dimensions is a significant achievement of Greek architecture; it was developed to address the problems of artistic expression and the convenience of harvesting the building elements. During the Temple of Zeus construction in the classic period, the dimensions were respected, and the inner walls were reinforced. The monumental and solemnly heavy proportions of the Doric temple were reworked in Parthenon in the spirit of lighter constructions of the Ionic order. The outlines of the columns have become slimmer and narrower, with the vertical lines dominating the horizontal ones to a much greater extent than in the nearer Poseidon Temple. This enhances the upward aspect of the Parthenon, which is typical of buildings of the Ionic order.

An outstanding work in Rome was the triumphal Arch of Titus; this Arch is rightly regarded as one of the finest examples of classical Roman architecture of imperial times. The contrasts of illuminated and shaded, protruding, and recessed parts are part of the artistic intent of the monument. The ways in which the solemn grandeur of the Arch is used correspond to the ways of the Greeks. Although externally, the Arch of Titus has strict forms and may appear rather modest, this simplicity and the triumph of its architectural proportions make the Arch of Titus an object of admiration. The facade of the Arch is practically devoid of sculptures, except for two Victorians and a sculpture of Fortune. Thus, the Romans in the Classical period did not follow the tradition of the Greeks in decorating the premises. Furthermore, the Pantheon represents a new type of temple building. The exterior appearance of the building was incomparably more significant than the interior, as was the case with Greek temples.

Styles

In the classical period of ancient Greece, the Ionic style developed; the Ionic column was always placed on a base between the trunk and the crepidome. The Attic base consists of two toruses of convex curvilinear profiles connected to a concave element called a scotia. The most emblematic component of this order is the capitulum, composed of two interconnected spirals supporting a much lighter entablature. One of the most famous temples in the Ionic style is the Erechtheion, known for its distinctive construction and supported by six female figures. The Romans admired ancient Greek buildings and tried to emulate their architecture. A new type of monumental structure emerged, this triumphal arch. They moved from a traversed construction based mainly on columns and lintels to one based on massive walls accented by arches and then domes, which were very much developed under the Romans. Classical orders have now become decorative rather than structural, except for colonnades.

Materials

The Temple of Zeus at Olympia is a completed canonical perimeter of the Doric order. The temple was built of shell limestone and covered with white plaster. The roof tiles were made of marble; the Greeks were the first to use limestone or marble instead of wood. The sculptural decorations were of considerable wealth: large statuary groups on both pediments, the Metopes under the inner colonnade. The temple of Athena the Virgin (Parthenon) was built of Pentelikon marble and gables and covered with metope reliefs. It is important to note that the Roman Arch of Titus was constructed of Pentelic marble quarried in Attica. The semi-columns with which the arch is decorated are the first known example of composite order. Thus, during the Classical period, marble and common decoration were used in Greece and Rome.

The Differences

In this way, the architecture of the Romans and Greeks complemented each other, but at the same time, there were so many significant distinctions between the two civilizations. The Greeks had less interest in the practical purpose of the building than did the Romans. Similarly, it was typical for Greek architects to build large temple complexes, which emphasized their magnificence in size. The Romans had a basic understanding and description of the relationship between artistic form and space. There was also a preference for enclosed forms, and Roman architects-built structures larger than the Greek.

Conclusion

Hence, after examining the characteristics of ancient Roman and ancient Greek architecture, it can be argued that they are highly similar. When studying Roman architecture, it is possible to conclude that the features of its possession and Greek architecture are described. The innovations of construction time of these civilizations and to this day amaze and achieve their elegance. Masters of both Greece and Rome tried to make their works unique, expensive, and exceptional; that is why a particular building can be considered a work of art.

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